The story of the failed 1981 Seychelles coup is one the Department of Defence may wish never happened. An example of an isolated government in Apartheid being overconfident, under prepared and paying the price for it. Nevertheless, 45 years on, their hubris is something we can learn from …
It’s 25 November 1981. And a group of about 50 men step off a flight in the Seychelles posing as tourists on a stag trip. They call themselves the Ancient Order of Froth-Blowers. This happens to be a name borrowed from a real 1930s English beer-drinking club. The only difference is beneath false bottoms in their luggage, covered with rugby kit, is a barrage of AK-47s.
1981 SEYCHELLES COUP
The target in this hastily arranged 1981 Seychelles coup is President France-Albert René. He had seized power in 1977 by ousting James Mancham, a pro-Western leader. The aim was to put Mancham back in charge. The mission was being led by Colonel ‘Mad Mike’ Hoare. The Irishman was a legendary Congo mercenary, born in Calcutta, but living in Durban at the time.
The disguises in this 1981 Seychelles coup lasted all of a few minutes when they encountered an inquisitive customs official. A search turned up one of the many hidden rifles and gunfire erupted all across the airport. Cornered, the mercenaries fought their way to the airport control tower and held it hostage for several hours.
With no way out, they spotted their escape: An Air India Boeing 707, Flight 224, which was refueling on its way from Salisbury to Bombay. They commandeered it, with 65 passengers and 14 crew aboard, and ordered it to fly it back to South Africa. It was eventually diverted to Durban, where officials had shut down air traffic control for seven hours, and forced the mercenaries to surrender.
AFTERMATH OF FAILED 1981 SEYCHELLES COUP
The Apartheid regime had a big problem, the world was watching and the reaction to the failed 1981 Seychelles coup was fierce. Most of the men were initially released, however, hijacking an airliner is serious and the government needed to deniability. So, ‘Mad Mike’ Hoare and 42 others were eventually charged and convicted of hijacking in a Pietermaritzburg court in 1982.
Hoare’s sentence, reported to be 20 years, was served in just 33 months before a presidential amnesty freed him. Other men received similarly short terms. The UN Security Council condemned the coup attempt in resolutions 496 and 507. René was only emboldened and stayed in power for another two decades.
But what do you think? Had you ever heard of the 1981 Seychelles coup? Do you have any other examples of crazy South African stories many might’ve forgotten? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below …